Bi on Facebook: What are you "Interested in"?

[alli-berri]

My career path almost requires that I have a social networking presence, so before anyone calls me or others out for even having a Facebook, understand the reality of its present impact and just let it go.

At the moment, my profile says that I'm interested in "Men"... because I am.

I don't want to catch any interest from women right now, even though I AM bi.

Facebook does not ask me to identify my sexuality. But maybe I'm being misleading? What do you think? How do you handle your public gender interests?

 

[RobUK2]

I don't state it on Facebook, mainly because I have old teachers, relatives, university workers, etc., who don't know I'm bi, and I've no intention to change that...

Also, any close friends know already, and why would anyone else need/want to know?

 

[Nomenclature]

From what i've known, hardly any of the gay or bi people who use that website actually identify as gay or bi on their profile; they just leave that part blank.

 

[RobUK2]

Yes, I've seen the same thing being discussed on several bisexual sites - most people refuse to state it, and that gap (for those looking) is often assumed to mean gay or bi.

I guess it is slightly more discreet way of mentioning your sexuality without posting some massive pride flag on your page...

 

[alli-berri]

I too have left it blank in the past, until I wanted to start dating again. I guess my thing is that I don't see it as a way of defining my "sexuality", just "what I'm interested in" at a given point in time (now). You could say I'm taking Facebook literally.

RobUK2, I definitely understand why you wouldn't specify anything at all - past relationships and acquaintances could certainly have a hard time understanding - but it fascinates me how important something as simple as marking a checkbox or not has become with internet culture.

I guess it boils down to what one hopes to achieve/not by making their interest public. By not putting it up there, you avoid most others even worrying about what you may or may not be into. Or maybe you make them more intrigued? I see how it could be discreet a signal, but I tend to feel a hint of disappointment when I find somebody who seems VERY open, and VERY active on Facebook, but they refuse to specify.

Maybe it's not disappointment. It's pity, but only a little bit. Like maybe they're hurting because they're in the closet, and everybody knows it, and pities them too. I feel a slightly guilty that I react this way to it.

 

[mbamike]

From what i've known, hardly any of the gay or bi people who use that website actually identify as gay or bi on their profile; they just leave that part blank.

What he said.

I use Facebook to network for business purposes. So, it is not necessary to mention my sexuality.

 

[jasoncrew03]

Mine says both.

 

[jhwalker]

I use Facebook to keep up with friends, colleagues and relatives - I think it's kind of tacky to put *anything* there, so I leave it blank.

 

[alli-berri]

Hmm *starts thinking he should use "Interested in" less liberally*

Maybe I'm naive to assume few others really look at or care about that part of our profiles.

 

[asu1117]

Mine says i'm interested in women, though that's mainly because I haven't edited my profile in quite some time. And because i don't use facebook as a place to meet people, so it's really not that important what it says.

 

[MisterMajestic]

I learned with the Quickness that FaceBook was NOT for me...When I started to get friend requests from ex girlfriends and old school-mates that never liked me I had to SQUASH that shit..

A TIP to those of you that try to Permanently DELETE your FaceBook Account: It's not easy folks...There's a section that you go to to Delete it but the system will reactivate your account a million times over...

Hours after I deleted the Shit FaceBook would send me a "Welcome back" email...LOL....Those Fuckers.....It took me 2 weeks to finally get my account deleted after Deleting it over & over.......If anyone ever needs the Direct-Link to the FaceBook "Permanent Account Deletion" section let me know..

 

[alli-berri]

Mine says i'm interested in women, though that's mainly because I haven't edited my profile in quite some time. And because i don't use facebook as a place to meet people, so it's really not that important what it says.

Good for you for not giving a shit. You relieve me.

I learned with the Quickness that FaceBook was NOT for me...When I started getting friend requests from ex girlfriends and old school-mates that never liked me I had to SQUASH that shit..

I was doing an interview for this internship that specifically PRAISED me for having 300+ friends, noting that I was clearly involved with the online social community. Exes and old frenemies ironically became an aid to my career. Wtf. In a way, I felt like I was getting THEM back for past grievances, by using'm to move further ahead than they ever will!

Hours after I deleted the Shit FaceBook would send me a "Welcome back" email...LOL....Fuckers......

Hahaha. Yeah, they are fuckers. I wish I never had to get involved with them.

 

[MisterMajestic]

was doing an interview for this internship that specifically PRAISED me for having 300+ friends, noting that I was clearly involved with the online social community. Exes and old frenemies ironically became an aid to my career. Wtf. In a way, I felt like I was getting THEM back for past grievances, by using'm to move further ahead than they ever will!

FaceBook is benefiting you Big-Time..........That is a good thing...Social networking online is the Present and a big part of the Future...I just hope I don't have to kiss FaceBook's Ass down the road...